Flooring structure and installation process

ABSTRACT

The method of forming a flooring structure and installing the flooring structure, the method including providing a surface and providing a divider strip having an inverted T-shaped cross-section. The inverted T-shaped divider strip is secured to the surface. A bonding agent is spread from the divider strip to the surface. A flooring section is installed adjacent the divider strip and on the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/672,988, filed on Jul. 18, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to flooring structures for commercial,residential, and public properties, and in particular, to flooring forcommercial buildings. More particularly, the invention is directed to aflooring structure and process for installing the flooring structurethat utilizes one or more divider strips having an inverted T-shapedcross section and a bonding agent spread along the divider strip, toenable one or more flooring sections to be flush with the divider stripwithout aesthetically unappealing uneven surfaces.

2. Background Art

The structure and design of floors has changed throughout history. Floordesigners have struggled to balance the aesthetic qualities of the floorwhile maintaining durability. One such example of a floor that includesan aesthetically pleasing design while remaining relatively maintenancefree is terrazzo flooring.

Terrazzo flooring is a composite floor that is designed to withstanddaily use while generally being maintenance free. Terrazzo flooringgenerally is comprised of marble chips bond together with cement, andmay also include epoxy resin or polymers. The different resins orpolymers allow for different color combinations for aesthetic purposes.

When constructing a terrazzo floor, the floor is partitioned intosections with divider strips. The different sections enable differentcolor combinations for different portions. Commonly, the divider stripsare “L-shaped” divider strips that each include a horizontal portionthat is parallel to the floor and a vertical portion that isperpendicular to the floor, thus comprising an “L” shape. The cementmixture, or epoxy mixture, is poured into the precast sections andleveled. A grinder is then used to grind the cured cement, or epoxy, tomatch the vertical portion of the divider strip. In this manner, theflooring material is made flush with the uppermost edge of the verticalportion of the divider strip, preventing the formation of a dirt trap,and, additionally, providing protection to the divider strip thus,providing an aesthetically pleasing design in the durable terrazzofloor. Despite the aesthetically pleasing design and durability,including materials and labor, the cost of terrazzo flooring isexpensive and the process is time consuming. Additionally, the skilledlabor to install terrazzo flooring is increasingly more difficult tofind.

In response to the cost and time consuming installation of terrazzoflooring, floor manufacturers have attempted to mimic terrazzo flooring,but with little success. For example, floor manufacturers have utilizedother composite materials, such as elastomeric-based materials, that areinstalled in sections, similar to terrazzo flooring. But afterinstallation, the flooring is displaced from the “L-shaped” dividerstrip and, thus, is no longer flush with the divider strip. Moreparticularly, the flooring is depressed near the divider strip so thatflooring installed opposite the horizontal portion of the “L-shaped”divider strip is displaced below the uppermost edge of the verticalportion of the strip. When this depression occurs, the flooring nolonger has the aesthetically pleasing characteristics of a terrazzofloor and the chance of damage to the floor increases. For example, asthe floor depresses, the divider strip may be contacted by shoes, carts,or other equipment, damaging the divider strip, and causing furtherdepression. In addition, a person may contact the divider strip causingthe person to stumble and/or injure themselves.

These disadvantages of prior art flooring structures make it desirableto develop a flooring structure and installation process that preventsthe depression of the floor adjacent the divider strip while mimickingthe aesthetically pleasing design of the terrazzo flooring. In thismanner, the flooring structure will remain flush with the divider stripminimizing damage to the divider strip and minimizing potentialaccidents involving users of the floor.

The flooring structure and installation process of the present inventionsolves the problems associated with prior art flooring structures byutilizing a divider strip having an inverted “T-shaped” cross-sectionand spreading a bonding agent adjacent to the inverted “T-shaped”divider strip and across portions of the floor. In this manner, thedepression of the flooring section adjacent the divider strip isminimized and maintains a visually appealing aspect mimicking the designof the prior art terrazzo flooring. Further, the flooring structure andinstallation process is more cost effective than traditional terrazzoflooring and other prior art flooring that mimics terrazzo flooring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the present invention include providing a flooringstructure and installation process that minimizes depressions of theflooring section adjacent the divider strip.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a flooringstructure and installation process that mimics terrazzo flooring but ismore cost effective than traditional terrazzo flooring and otherflooring that mimics terrazzo flooring.

The objectives of the present invention are achieved by the method offorming a flooring structure and installing the flooring structure, themethod including providing a surface and providing a divider striphaving an inverted T-shaped cross-section. The inverted T-shaped dividerstrip is secured to the surface. A bonding agent is spread from thedivider strip to the surface and a flooring section is installedadjacent to the divider strip and on the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrative of thebest mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles,is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings,and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view showing a prior artflooring structure grid with “L-shaped” divider strips;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the prior art flooringstructure grid shown in FIG. 1, with sections of the flooring beinginstalled;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the prior art flooringstructure grid shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with additional sections of theflooring installed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion FIG. 4, showing the depressionof the flooring section where the flooring section directly contacts thesurface of the floor without the horizontal portion of the “L-shaped”divider strip;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the “L-shaped” dividerstrip used in the prior art flooring structure grid shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a preferred embodimentflooring structure of the present invention, showing an inverted“T-shaped” divider strip with a bonding agent spread between the dividerstrips;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the preferred embodimentflooring structure shown in FIG. 8, with sections of the flooring beinginstalled;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the preferredembodiment flooring structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, with additionalsections of the flooring installed;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 11, showing theflooring portion flush with the inverted “T-shaped” divider strip;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an inverted “T-shaped”divider strip of the type used in the preferred embodiment flooringstructure of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along 14-14 in FIG. 13.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In order to better understand the structure, installation, and functionof the preferred embodiment flooring structure and installation processof the present invention, the structure, installation, and function of aprior art flooring structure will be described in detail below.

A prior art flooring structure 10 is shown in FIG. 1. With additionalreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a portion of prior art flooring structure 10includes a front divider strip 12, a rear divider strip 14, a leftdivider strip 16, a right divider strip 18, a center divider strip 20,and a cross divider strip 22. Front divider strip 12, rear divider strip14, left divider strip 16, right divider strip 18, center divider strip20, and cross divider strip 22 are secured on a surface 50, which is,generally, an unfinished floor, such as concrete, by using a bondingagent.

Front divider strip 12 and left divider strip 16 connect at anintersection 30. Front divider strip 12 generally includes a “V” shapedprotrusion at intersection 30. Similarly, left divider strip 16 isformed to complementarily receive the “V” shaped protrusion of frontdivider strip 12 so as to perpendicularly abut against one another atintersection 30.

Other connection areas include an intersection 32 for front dividerstrip 12 and cross divider strip 22, an intersection 34 for the frontdivider strip and right divider strip 18, an intersection 36 for leftdivider strip 16 and center divider strip 20, an intersection 38 for thecenter divider strip and the cross divider strip, an intersection 40 forthe right divider strip and the center divider strip, an intersection 42for the left divider strip and rear divider strip 14, an intersection 44for rear divider strip and cross divider strip, and an intersection 46for the rear divider strip and the right divider strip. Respectivedivider strips are formed in a similar fashion as described inintersection 30, for respective intersections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42,44, and 46.

The grid formed by the interconnected divider strips 12, 14, 16, 18, 20,and 22 define a plurality of open sections 70 for receiving flooringmaterial, as will be described below.

For purposes of convenience and clarity, reference herein is made to thestructure of front divider strip 12, with the understanding that suchreference is by way of example, and that rear divider strip 14, leftdivider strip 16, right divider strip 18, center divider strip 20, andcross divider strip 22 include similar structure to the front dividerstrip.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 6 and 7, front divider strip 12 includesa horizontal base portion 24 and a vertical divider portion 26, toresemble an “L” shape. In this manner, front divider strip 12 iscommonly called an “L-shaped” divider strip. Base portion 24 extendsgenerally parallel to a surface 50 and includes a plurality of openings28. Openings 28 are generally circular in shape and enable front dividerstrip 12 to attach to surface 50 utilizing a bonding agent. Further, asa result of openings 28, a flooring section 60 is attached to surface 50and to front divider strip 12 with a bonding agent (not shown), thusproviding a more secure connection for the flooring section as a resultof being attached to the surface and to the front divider strip.

Vertical divider portion 26 elevates generally perpendicular to baseportion 24 and is a boundary for flooring sections 60. In this manner,flooring sections 60 may be different colors or patterns to providedifferent aesthetic qualities for when the flooring sections areinstalled. In addition, flooring sections 60 may each be formed ofdifferent materials to provide more durability and/or alter theaesthetic qualities of the flooring.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each flooring section 60 isplaced or poured into each open section 70 of the prior art flooringstructure 10. Each flooring section 60 is secured to base portion 24 andfloor 50, utilizing a bonding agent (not shown) and the flooring sectionis leveled to be flush with vertical portion 26.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, flooring sections 60 are shown abuttingvertical divider portion 26. As shown in FIG. 4, flooring section 60 issecured to base portion 24 and surface 50. As a result, flooring section60 appears to be generally level for this portion. In contrast, as shownin FIG. 5, flooring section 60 abuts vertical divider portion 26 and issecured solely to surface 50. As a result, flooring section 60 depressesbeneath vertical divider portion 26 as indicated by D.

Therefore, a need exists in the art for an improved flooring structure,and accompanying method, which can be utilized to minimize thedepression in the flooring section 60 caused by use of “L-shaped”divider strips and certain depressable flooring materials. The preferredembodiment flooring structure and installation method accomplishes theseneeds, and the structure and installation of the flooring structure ofthe present invention is described in detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a flooring structure of the present invention isshown at 100 secured to surface 50. Flooring structure 100 isconstructed of a front divider strip 112, a rear divider strip 114, aleft divider strip 116, a right divider strip 118, a center dividerstrip 120, and a cross divider strip 122. Front divider strip 112, reardivider strip 114, left divider strip 116, right divider strip 118,center divider strip 120, and cross divider strip 122 are secured tosurface 50, which is, generally an unfinished floor, such as concrete,with a bonding agent (not shown).

Front divider strip 112 and left divider strip 116 connect at anintersection 130. Front divider strip 112 generally includes a “V”shaped protrusion at intersection 130. Similarly, left divider strip 116is formed to complementarily receive the “V” shaped protrusion of frontdivider strip 112 so as to abut against one another at intersection 130.

Other connection areas include an intersection 132 for front dividerstrip 112 and cross divider strip 122, an intersection 134 for the frontdivider strip and right divider strip 118, an intersection 136 for leftdivider strip 116 and center divider strip 120, an intersection 138 forthe center divider strip and the cross divider strip, an intersection140 for the right divider strip and the center divider strip, anintersection 142 for the left divider strip and rear divider strip 114,an intersection 144 for rear divider strip and cross divider strip, andan intersection 146 for the rear divider strip and the right dividerstrip. Respective divider strips are formed in a similar fashion asdescribed in intersection 130 above, for respective intersections 132,134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146.

The grid formed by the interconnected divider strips 112, 114, 116, 118,120, and 122 define a plurality of open sections 170 for receivingflooring material, as will be described below.

For purposes of convenience and clarity, reference herein is made to thestructure of front divider strip 112, with the understanding that suchreference is by way of example, and that right divider strip 118, centerdivider strip 120, and cross divider strip 122 include similar structureto the front divider strip. Rear divider strip 114 and left dividerstrip 116 are part of the perimeter of flooring structure 100 and aregenerally L-shaped as previously described.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 13 and 14, front divider strip 112includes a horizontal base portion 124 and a vertical divider portion126 that forms a structure having a generally inverted “T-shaped”cross-section. It is important to note that base portion 124 extendshorizontally outwardly from both sides of vertical divider portion 126,as will be discussed below. Base portion 124 extends generally parallelto surface 50 and includes a plurality of openings 128. Openings 128 aregenerally circular in shape and enable front divider strip 112 to attachto surface 50 utilizing a bonding agent (not shown), including cementpatches or contact adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, and in accordance with an important feature ofthe present invention, prior to attaching flooring section 60 toflooring structure 100 of the present invention, a bonding agent 180,preferably a contact adhesive mixture, is spread outwardly from verticaldivider portion 126, across horizontal base portion 124 of the inverted“T-shape”, and onto surface 50, in a manner known as feathering. In thismanner, the feathering process eliminates any visually subtleunappealing humps that occurred in prior art flooring structures withinverted “T-shaped” divider strips. Furthermore, upon installation ofeach flooring section 60 into each open section 170 formed by flooringstructure 100, bonding agent 180 secures each of the flooring sectionsto be flush with the uppermost edge of vertical divider portion 126.

Upon installation of each flooring section 60, each of the flooringsections are attached to surface 50 and to front divider strip 112 withbonding agent 180 that has been feathered outwardly from verticalportion 126, thus providing a more secure connection for the flooringsection as a result of being attached to the surface and to the frontdivider strip. It should be noted that bonding agent 180 may be utilizedto secure front divider strip 112 to surface 50.

It is to be understood that flooring structure 100 of the presentinvention may include “L-shaped” divider strips, similar to dividerstrip 114 and left divider strip 116, throughout the entire flooringstructure. In this manner, bonding agent 180 is feathered outwardly, asdescribed above, on both sides of the “L-shaped” divider strip includingthe side with horizontal base portion 127, and the side without thehorizontal base portion (not shown). It should be noted that an“L-shaped” divider strip is generally used on the outside perimeter ofsurface 50, thus feathering may not be needed on the side without thehorizontal base portion (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, flooring section 60 is generally flush withuppermost edge of vertical divider portion 126 and there is minimaldepression as indicated by D. The feathering of bonding agent 180 andextension of base portion in an inverted “T-shape” minimizes thedepression D.

The present invention overcomes the prior art deficiencies by minimizingthe depression that occurs in flooring surface 60 while maintaining theflooring surface contact with vertical divider portion 126. Further, thedisposition of flooring surface 60 relative to uppermost edge ofvertical divider portion 126 maintains an aesthetically pleasing designand reduces damages to the divider strips because each flooring section60 is disposed relative to its respective divider strips. In thismanner, users do not trip over exposed divider strips and equipment doesnot strike divider strips. Even further, the flooring structure of thepresent invention is cost effective when compared to the prior art.

It is contemplated that bonding agent 180 may be an adhesive, cement,resin, composite or any other known bonding agent well known to those inthe art without changing the overall concept or function of theinvention. It is even contemplated that bonding agent 180 may berestricted to within horizontal base portion 124, or extend past thehorizontal base portion onto surface 50 without changing the overallconcept or function of the invention. It is also further contemplatedthat an “L- shaped” divider strip may be used with bonding agent 180without changing the overall concept or function of the invention. It iscontemplated that openings 128 may include other geometric shapes, orpatterns, without changing the overall concept or function of theinvention. It is also contemplated that respective divider strips mayconnect at intersections 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, and 144, byother methods known to those in the art, such as different complementaryshapes, snap connections, and bolts without changing the overall conceptor function of the invention. It is even further contemplated that acombination of “L-shaped” and inverted “T-shaped” divider strips may beused without changing the overall concept or function of the invention.It is further contemplated that solely “L-shaped” divider strips may beused in flooring structure 100 without changing the overall concept orfunction of the invention. It is even further contemplated that solelyinverted “T-shaped” divider strips may be used in flooring structure 100without changing the overall concept or function of the invention. It iscontemplated that front divider strip 112, rear divider strip 114, leftdivider strip 116, right divider strip 118, center divider strip 120,and cross divider strip 122, may be comprised of different materials,such as aluminum, composites, and steel without changing the overallconcept or function of the invention. It is further contemplated thatfront divider strip 112, rear divider strip 114, left divider strip 116,right divider strip 118, center divider strip 120, and cross dividerstrip 122 that each divider strip may be the same material, or eachdivider strip be a different material, or any combination thereof,without changing the overall concept or function of the invention.

The present invention has been described with reference to a specificstructure and method. It is to be understood that this illustration isby way of example and not by way of limitation. Potential modificationsand alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding ofthis disclosure, and it is understood that the invention includes allsuch modifications and alterations and equivalents thereof.

Accordingly, the flooring structure and installation process issimplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive and efficientstructure and method which achieves all the enumerated objectives,provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior artflooring, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way ofexample, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which the flooring structure is used andinstalled, the characteristics of the construction, arrangement andmethod steps, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; thenew and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, process,parts and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. The method of forming a flooring structure andinstalling said flooring structure, the method comprising the followingsteps: providing a surface; providing an at least one divider striphaving an inverted T-shaped cross-section; securing said divider stripto said surface; spreading a bonding agent from said divider strip tosaid surface; and installing a flooring section adjacent said dividerstrip and on said surface.
 2. The method of forming a flooring structureand installing said flooring structure of claim 1, the method furtherincluding forming a grid from at least two said divider strips.
 3. Themethod of forming a flooring structure and installing said flooringstructure of claim 1, the method further including said divider stripsformed with an opening.
 4. The method of forming a flooring structureand installing said flooring structure of claim 1, the method furtherincluding spreading said bonding agent in a feathered manner outwardlyfrom said divider strip.
 5. The method of forming a flooring structureand installing said flooring structure of claim 4, wherein said bondingagent is a contact adhesive.
 6. The method of forming a flooringstructure and installing said flooring structure of claim 1, the methodfurther including installing said flooring section mimicking terrazzoflooring.
 7. The method of forming a flooring structure and installingsaid flooring structure of claim 1, the method further includingsecuring said divider strip to said surface with said bonding agent. 8.The method of forming a flooring structure and installing said flooringstructure of claim 1, providing said at least one inverted T-shapeddivider strip wherein said divider strip includes a vertical portion anda horizontal portion and said flooring section is installed adjacentsaid vertical portion and onto said horizontal portion.
 9. The method offorming a flooring structure and installing said flooring structure ofclaim 8, the method further including leveling the top of said flooringsection with top of said vertical portion of said inverted T-shapeddivider strip.
 10. The method of forming a flooring structure andinstalling said flooring structure, the method including: providing asurface; providing an at least one divider strip; securing said dividerstrip to said surface; feathering a bonding agent from said dividerstrip to said surface; and installing a flooring section adjacent saiddivider strip and on said surface.
 11. The method of forming a flooringstructure and installing said flooring structure of claim 10, the methodfurther including forming a grid from at least two said divider strips.12. The method of fondling a flooring structure and installing saidflooring structure of claim 10, the method further including saiddivider strips formed with an opening.
 13. The method of forming aflooring structure and installing said flooring structure of claim 10,wherein said divider strip includes an inverted T-shaped cross-section.14. The method of forming a flooring structure and installing saidflooring structure of claim 10, wherein said bonding agent is a contactadhesive.
 15. The method of forming a flooring structure and installingsaid flooring structure of claim 10, the method further includinginstalling said flooring section mimicking terrazzo flooring.
 16. Themethod of forming a flooring structure and installing said flooringstructure of claim 10, the method further including securing saiddivider strip to said surface with said bonding agent.
 17. The method offorming a flooring structure and installing said flooring structure ofclaim 10, providing at least one divider strip, wherein said dividerstrip includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion and saidflooring section is installed adjacent said vertical portion and on saidhorizontal portion.
 18. The method of forming a flooring structure andinstalling said flooring structure of claim 17, the method furtherincluding leveling the top of said flooring section with top of saidvertical portion of said divider strip.